AWESOME AWAITS

Category Archives: Merlin’s Magic Wand

A few weeks ago, we had a Brick Dash 5K, presented by Publix, Facebook vote for guests to choose what the participant medal will look like. The votes are in and the LEGO built minifigure head is the clear winner for the Brick Dash medal!

Participants in the 5K and Virtual Runners receive this brick-tastic medal on a themed lanyard (lanyard not pictured). Many of our runners collect their participant medals and we want to make sure this is one to remember!

Children participating in the ½ mile fun run will receive an exclusive collector’s brick with the event logo on the front and year on the back.

Interested in signing up for Brick Dash?

For more information and to register for the event, please visit here.

Visit Central Florida and LEGOLAND® Florida Resort have partnered to bring back the popular Brick Dash 5K, presented by Publix, on April 14, 2018! This family friendly event benefits our global children’s charity Merlin’s Magic Wand. Participants have the option to run or walk a 5K through the park while meeting LEGO® characters along the way. Little brick fans have the option to participate in half mile children’s run. If running doesn’t make you jump for joy, you can still support by becoming a virtual runner!

Brick Dash 5K

5K run/walk throughout LEGOLAND Florida Resort at 7:00am

Beloved LEGOLAND characters

LEGO® medal for completion

Free t-shirt with registration

LEGO Trophies for winners of each division

Half Mile Children’s Run

1/2 mile route for kids at 8:00am

Beloved LEGOLAND characters

Collectors LEGO® brick for completion

Free t-shirt with registration

*Strollers will be allowed to participate. Children 2 and under are free.

The vacation destination #BuiltForKids donated a total of 20,000 tickets to Florida families impacted by the devastating storm, with 18,000 distributed to UNICEF’s Kid Power Schools Program, and 2,000 to Citrus Center Boys & Girls Clubs, which has been serving children in eastern Polk County since 1954.

The total donation is valued at more than $1.8 million and represents the largest ticket giveaway in the resort’s six-year history.

In 2018, LEGOLAND® Florida Resort will deliver 12 months of awesomeness with a blockbuster lineup of special events and grand openings throughout the year. It all kicks off in January with LEGO® NINJAGO® Days, three consecutive weekends of exclusive activities and entertainment devoted to the popular LEGO franchise, and the NINJAGO action continues with the opening of an exciting new theatrical attraction starring the cast of TV’s “LEGO NINJAGO: Masters of Spinjitzu.”

Mark your calendars for another brick-tastic year of fun at the place #BuiltForKids:

This exciting new theatrical experience combines dazzling 3D computer animation with “4D” real-world effects as ninjas Lloyd, Kai, Jay, Cole, Zane and Nya must find their way out of a mind-bending dimension filled with eye-popping visuals. See it daily in the Wells Fargo Fun Town Theater!

LEGO NINJAGO Days: Jan. 20-21, 27-28, and Feb. 3-4 — all-new event!

Celebrate your favorite ninja heroes with exclusive in-park activities and meet-and-greets with Kai, Nya and for the first time ever — Master Wu!

Then become the ninja in LEGO NINJAGO World, where kids can do battle against familiar foes like Lord Garmadon and the Great Devourer aboard LEGO NINJAGO The Ride.

The KIDZ BOP Kids return to rock the park with three days of high-energy concerts, including the debut of their official theme song for LEGOLAND Florida Resort, “Awesome Awaits.” Plus, fans will enjoy exclusive meet-and-greets with the coolest kids around — Ahnya, Cooper, Freddy, Isaiah, Julianna and Sierra!

Join us as we unveil the newest addition to our LEGO®Star Wars™ MINILAND Model Display. Created with thousands of LEGO bricks, the display features memorable moments from Episode VII of the popular Star Wars™ saga enhanced with lights, sound effects and animation.

Enjoy our huge new LEGO®Star Wars™ display in MINILAND USA as we celebrate a record three weekends of fun from “a galaxy, far, far away”! Activities include meet-and-greets with LEGO Darth Vader and — new! — a LEGO character from “The Force Awakens” and “The Last Jedi,” hands-on LEGO®Star Wars™ building activities and much more.

Fourth of July — a red, white & blue salute to America!

Celebrate America’s independence on Wednesday, July 4 as we light the skies above Lake Eloise with one of our biggest fireworks shows of the year! Before the sun goes down, help us create a giant U.S. flag out of thousands of LEGO bricks.

Firefighter Friday: Friday, Oct. 5 — learn how to stay safe!

Held in association with the National Fire Protection Association, this entertaining and informative event teaches kids about fire safety with a variety of fun activities in the theme park, including information from NFPA’s annual Fire Prevention Week theme.

Brick or Treat: Select dates in October — seventh year of lightly frightful fun!

Christmas Bricktacular: Select dates in December — have yourself a merry LEGOLAND Christmas!

Our annual holiday celebration returns to deck the halls with a 30-foot-tall LEGO Christmas tree lit several times each evening in a brilliant combination of twinkling lights and classic yuletide music, festive decorations and photo ops, including a giant LEGO wreath and a life-size LEGO Santa, reindeer and sleigh, plus holiday-themed scavenger hunts with cool LEGO prizes and hands-on LEGO building activities for kids. Meet LEGO Santa and LEGO Toy Soldier during daily park appearances.

Kids’ New Year’s Party: Select dates in late December — our popular party has grown!

Our multi-day party invites kids to move and groove at a high-energy dance party, set fun goals for the year ahead and go on a special scavenger hunt in MINILAND USA before ending the night with an amazing fireworks show over Lake Eloise.

Then on Monday, Dec. 31 only, ring in the new year with our traditional before-midnight “brick drop” and an even bigger fireworks spectacular.

Don’t miss any of the fun

*With the exception of the Brick Dash events taking place Saturday, April 14, all events listed above are included with all forms of theme park admission — and annual passes. No extra ticket required!

The best way to enjoy all the LEGOLAND awesomeness is with one of several great annual pass options. Consider:

Awesome Pass — a year of unlimited admission to LEGOLAND Florida Theme Park and LEGOLAND Water Park.

Awesomer Pass — all the benefits of the Awesome Pass, plus a year of unlimited admission to The Coca-Cola Orlando Eye, SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium, Madame Tussauds Orlando and Atlanta’s LEGOLAND Discovery Center, as well as theme park parking and more.

Awesomest Pass — a year of unlimited admission to more than 30 Merlin Entertainments attractions across North America, including LEGOLAND Florida Theme Park and LEGOLAND Water Park, and much more.

Play — and stay!

Extend the fun with an overnight stay at our popular on-site accommodations — the 152-room LEGOLAND Hotel and the 166-room LEGOLAND Beach Retreat. Both feature whimsical LEGO theming inside and out, a breakfast buffet included with your stay, complimentary Wi-Fi, heated swimming pools, plenty of places where kids can play and easy theme park access.

Made in conjunction with Merlin’s Magic Wand, the global charity of our parent company, Merlin Entertainments, the total donation is valued at more than $1.8 million. It represents the largest ticket giveaway in our nearly six-year history and is intended to brighten the lives of the storm-battered state’s youngest residents.

“As a resort built for kids, we felt compelled to do something special for Florida’s children after Hurricane Irma, which left so many households facing months of recovery,” said Rex Jackson, general manager of LEGOLAND Florida Resort. “While we can’t turn the power back on for those families, we can put smiles on their faces.”

The resort will donate 18,000 tickets to the UNICEF Kid Power Schools Program, a teacher-led experience that incorporates lessons and activities with the world’s first Wearable-for-Good®. In the spring of 2017, more than 200 educators participated in Kid Power’s lifesaving journey. More than 80 percent of students reached with the UNICEF Kid Power program in Florida are eligible for free or reduced lunch.

Participating teachers will distribute two tickets per student, which is intended to allow each child to visit the Winter Haven, Fla., theme park with a parent or guardian.

“From UNICEF’s 70 years of work in emergencies and in schools around the world, we know the importance of ‘play’ and free time in helping kids heal from stressful situations, such as a natural disaster,” said Jeanette Duffy, UNICEF Kid Power program director. “This is a fantastic chance for these Florida students to just be kids!”

In Polk County, which LEGOLAND Florida Resort has called home since opening in October 2011, Citrus Center Boys & Girls Clubs will receive 2,000 tickets for distribution to the children it serves through sites in Winter Haven, Haines City and Lake Wales.

Since 1954, the organization has worked to better the lives of children throughout the county’s eastern communities, with programs focused on character and leadership development, education and career development, health and life skills, the arts, sports and fitness, and technology skills.

“This will be such a tremendous treat for our kids,” said Kerry Wilson, the organization’s president and board chair. “Kids who seldom have the opportunity to go to a wonderful place like LEGOLAND.”

Curtis Reddick, chief professional officer for Citrus Center Boys & Girls Clubs, said the donation “gives our kids and their parents time to spend a fun-filled day together.”

LEGOLAND® Florida Resort and other Merlin Entertainments attractions have made it their mission to deliver memorable experiences to children all over the world, including kids unable to travel due to circumstances or illness.

Merlin’s Magic Wand is a global children’s charity whose mission is putting magic back into the lives of seriously ill, disabled and disadvantaged children. To date, the organization has helped more than 260,000 kids and their families enjoy a magical day out at the more than 100 Merlin attractions worldwide. For those unable to visit a Merlin attraction, Merlin’s Magic Spaces projects bring the magic directly to kids.

Here’s a challenge for today and every day: Instead of clouding your social media with things about you, help make a difference in the life of a child!

The charitable arm of our parent company, Merlin Entertainments, holds the Fun Festival each September at Merlin attractions around the world. For this year’s event, Merlin’s Magic Wand selected Orlando, Fla.-based Nathaniel’s Hope for the wonderful work it’s doing to support kids with special needs (VIP kids). The nonprofit organization works to educate and equip the community with training and programs to assist VIP families, and all programs are offered free of charge.

On Saturday, families spent the day exploring the theme park #BuiltForKids, pausing to capture a cherished memory of the day with a group photo in the heart of every LEGOLAND park, MINILAND USA.

Merlin’s Magic Wand exists to put the magic back into the childhoods of seriously ill, disabled and disadvantaged children. The charity has helped more than 217,000 children and their families enjoy magical days out at Merlin attractions worldwide, and sponsors projects known as Merlin’s Magic Spaces that bring a bit of the Merlin magic into the community for children who are unable to visit one of the company’s attractions. For more information about Merlin’s Magic Wand activities in the United States, visit www.merlinsmagicwand.org/usa.

For decades, attractions operated by Merlin Entertainments have delighted millions of children all over the world. But what about kids unable to enjoy the same experiences due to illness or circumstances?

Enter Merlin’s Magic Wand, the global children’s charity whose mission is putting magic back into the lives of seriously ill, disabled and disadvantaged children. To date, the organization has helped more than 260,000 kids and their families enjoy a magical day out at the more than 100 Merlin attractions worldwide. For those unable to visit a Merlin attraction, Merlin’s Magic Spaces projects bring the magic directly to kids.

On Monday, Oct. 10, LEGOLAND® Florida Resort is proud to sponsor the first annual Merlin’s Magic Wand Children’s Charity Golf Outing in association with The Country Club of Winter Haven. The professional-yet-fun tournament aims to raise at least $30,000, with up to 30 teams of four players competing to take home a giant traveling trophy made of LEGO® bricks, as well as smaller trophies to keep.

Rounding out the day will be games, raffles and a silent auction filled with money-can’t-buy items and experiences. Here’s the schedule:

11 a.m. — Player registration and silent auction opens

11:30 a.m. — Putting competition

Noon — Lunch

12:30 p.m. — Shotgun start

5:30 p.m. — Silent auction closes

5:45 p.m. — Awards

6 p.m. — Raffle

Players can register individually to be placed on a team or four players can register together as a team. The cost is $200 per person or $800 per foursome. The registration deadline is Saturday, Oct. 1.

Sponsorship opportunities are available from $50 to display your organization, name or team on a tournament golf cart, to $5,000 to be named the tournament’s title sponsor, with a generous variety of associated amenities and rewards.

The event will take place rain or shine at The Country Club of Winter Haven, 4200 Country Club Road South, Winter Haven, Fla.

The rooms are used for therapy and other services offered at the center, which helps kids and families who face overwhelming challenges like child abuse, developmental disabilities and lack of access to medical care.

“These rooms have been dramatically transformed into magical, inviting spaces to the delight of the children and families we serve,” said Marie Martinez, operations manager at The Howard Phillips Center for Children & Families. “Our therapists have been using these rooms for about three weeks now and everyone just loves them.”